Our WU17 team moved four points clear at the top of the EA SPORTS LOI Tier Two North table with a fantastic 5-3 win over Galway United at Oriel Park on Saturday evening.
Phil Cox’s side went into the game looking for their fifth successive win and they got off to a blistering start with two goals in the opening 11 minutes.
Shauna Kate Smyth made the breakthrough after eight minutes; Megan Treanor provided the assist, and Smyth set Molly Gordon up for a second just three minutes later to leave the visitors reeling.
The game was turned on its head when Katie Glynn made it 2-1 midway through the half and the woodwork came to Dundalk’s rescue twice before Katie McPhibin saw a goal disallowed in the 35th minute.
The Lilywhites weathered the storm, however, and Smyth’s second goal of the game, five minutes before the break, gave Dundalk some breathing space at the interval.
Holly O’Leary had a goal chalked out for Galway in the second half and Dundalk opened up in the final 10 minutes with goals from McConnell and Naomi Dowd extending the lead before goals from Anna McGough and Glynn reduced the deficit at the full-time whistle.
“It was a top performance against a top opponent,” said WU17 head coach Phil Cox afterwards.
“Shauna Kate Smyth was outstanding today, scoring twice, but she wasn’t alone and Molly Gordon, Leona Hanney and Ciara Brady, who continues to impress, also scored to round off a well-deserved win.”
DUNDALK FC WU17: Grace McCabe, Jessica Cox, Aoife Fanning, Wendy Benedo, Meena McConnell, Erin Shannon, Macy Treanor, Naomi Dowd, Shauna Smyth, Molly Gordon, Sarah Burke. Subs: Leona Hanney, Ernesta Marut, Jennifer Freeman, Nana Yaa Osuwu, Naoise Smyth, Abbie Shiels, Amelia Cassidy, Ciara Brady, Rebecca Rogan.
